The book collects the latest research on both contractual and conceptual collaborative practices in construction. It identifies common problems faced by the industry and draws out practical implications.
Construction projects are increasingly run in ways that undermine the traditional boundary of the firm and sometimes also the definition of the project coalition. This poses challenges for construction firms whose clients demand ever increasing performance improvements as well as those firms who want to improve their strategies for greater collaboration to give themselves competitive advantage.
The editors identify three main themes: collaborative relationships, operating both in frameworks and within networks of contacts, e.g. relational contracting in partnering, supply chain management and other procurement-driven initiatives.
The second theme is frameworks, both contractual frameworks binding parties together over a series of contracts, and conceptual frameworks used to develop future performance improvement arising from the proactive strategies of firms.
The third theme is the network of relationships that supports individuals and firms within the project coalition in delivering services and adding value to improve performance. These networks define the investment and incentives supporting the inter-firm and intra-firm relationships, as well as the formal contractual conditions through which such incentives flow. Networks of information exchange define the structure of the activity and help predict organisational configurations for successful project outcomes.

Billions of dollars are spent annually for the replacement of corroded structures, machinery, and components. Premature failure of bridges or structures due to corrosion can also result in human injury, loss of life, and collateral damage. Written by an authority in corrosion science, Fundamentals of Corrosion: Mechanisms, Causes, and Preventative Methods comprehensively describes the causes of corrosion-and the means to limit or prevent it. Engineers, designers, architects, and all those involved with the selection of construction materials will relish a reference that provides such a thorough yet basic illustration of the causes, prevention, and control of corrosion. This reference explores: Mechanisms and forms of corrosion Methods of attack on plastic materials Causes of failure in protective coatings, linings, and paints Development of new alloys with corrosion-resistant properties Exposure to the atmosphere is one of the largest problems and biggest causes of corrosion that engineers and designers face in construction. It has been further estimated that the cost of protection against atmospheric corrosion accounts for approximately half the total cost of all corrosion protection methods. This book places special emphasis on atmospheric exposure and presents vital information regarding the design of structures, automobiles, household plumbing, manufacturing equipment, and other entities, as well as the effects of de-icing chemicals on highways and bridges.

This research aims to investigate the prevailing sediment dynamics and the sediment budget in the Mekong Delta by using a process-based model. Understanding sediment dynamics for the Mekong Delta requires high resolution analysis and detailed data, which is a challenge for managers and scientists. This study introduces such an approach and focuses on modeling the entire system with a process-based approach with Delft3D-4 and Delft3D Flexible Mesh (DFM). The first model is used to explore sediment dynamics at the coastal zone. The latter model allows straightforward coupling of 1D and 2D grids, making it suitable for analyzing the complex river and canal network of the Mekong Delta. The validated model suggests that the Mekong Delta receives ~99 Mt/year sediment from the Mekong River. This is much lower than the common estimate of 160 Mt/year. Only about 23% of the modelled total sediment load at Kratie is exported to the sea. The remaining portion is trapped in the rivers and floodplains of the Mekong Delta. The results advance understanding of sediment dynamics and sediment budget in the Mekong Delta. As such the model is an efficient tool to support delta management and planning.

The growing mobility needs of travellers have led to the development of increasingly complex and integrated multi-modal transit networks. Hence, transport agencies and transit operators are now more urgently required to assist in the challenging task of effectively and efficiently planning, managing, and governing transit networks. A pre-condition for the development of an effective intelligent multi-modal transit system is the integration of information and communication technology (ICT) tools that will support the needs of transit operators and travellers. To achieve this, reliable real-time simulation and short-term forecasting of passenger demand and service network conditions are required to provide both real-time traveller information and successfully synchronise transit service planning and operations control. Modelling Intelligent Multi-Modal Transit Systems introduces the current trends in this newly emerging area. Recent developments in information technology and telematics have enabled a large amount of data to become available, thus further attracting transport researchers to set up new models outside the context of the traditional data-driven approach. The alternative demand-supply interaction or network assignment modelling approach has improved greatly in recent years and has a crucial role to play in this new context.

This two-volume work contains the papers presented at the 2016 International Conference on Civil, Architecture and Environmental Engineering (ICCAE 2016) that was held on 4-6 November 2016 in Taipei, Taiwan. The meeting was organized by China University of Technology and Taiwan Society of Construction Engineers and brought together professors, researchers, scholars and industrial pioneers from all over the world. ICCAE 2016 is an important forum for the presentation of new research developments, exchange of ideas and experience and covers the following subject areas: Structural Science & Architecture Engineering, Building Materials & Materials Science, Construction Equipment & Mechanical Science, Environmental Science & Environmental Engineering, Computer Simulation & Computer and Electrical Engineering.

This title includes a number of Open Access chapters. This new compendium volume examines the significant impact of air quality on human health. Assessing air pollution in complex morphologies has become an important issue in order to implement mitigation measures and limit emissions from the most relevant sources, such as waste incineration, traffic emissions, emissions from fuel and electricity production, and household emissions. These pollutants result in adverse health effects, material damage, damage to ecosystems, and global climate change. The book looks at these issues and is divided into several sections, covering air pollution and where we came from and where we're headed waste incineration and its impact on air quality air pollution vehicle and transportation emissions emissions from fuel and electricity production The chapters in Pollution and the Atmosphere: Designs for Reduced Emissions contain recent research looking at the two major components of air pollution: air pollution control and air-quality engineering. Air pollution control focuses on the fundamentals of air pollutant formation in process technologies and the identification of options for mitigating or preventing air pollutant emissions. Air quality engineering deals with large-scale, multi-source control strategies, with focus on the physics and chemistry of pollutant interactions in the atmosphere.

Soil contamination represents a serious environmental problem and requires an immediate action plan to be prepared for typical and emergent contaminants. This book provides an overview of some remediation technologies, both traditional and emergent, as well as case studies based on the contribution from academia and service providers. Several soil and groundwater remediation technologies such as electrokinetic remediation, biological treatments (including phytoremediation), and chemical remediation are presented. Innovative technologies such as nanoremediation and the application of life cycle assessment as a decision tool for soil remediation technologies are also considered in this book. This book serves as a reference source for soil remediation as it includes applications, technologies, and valuable tools that can help in decision making during remediation actions. It can be used by students, researchers, service providers, and industry practitioners.

This informative new book takes an interdisciplinary look at agricultural and food production and how new engineering practices can be used to enhance production. With contributions from international experts from India, Russia, China, Serbia, and USA, this book presents a selection of chapters on some of these emerging practices, focusing on soil and water conservation and management; agricultural processing engineering; water quality and management; emerging agricultural crops; renewable energy use in agriculture; and applications of nanotechnology in agriculture.

Due to increasing demand for potable and irrigation water, new scientific research is being conducted to deal with wastewater from a variety of sources. Novel Water Treatment and Separation Methods: Simulation of Chemical Processes presents a selection of research related to applications of chemical processes for wastewater treatment, separation techniques, and modeling and simulation of chemical processes. Among the many topics are: degradation of herbicide removal of anionic dye efficient sun-light driven photocatalysis removal of copper and iron using green activated carbon defluoridation of drinking water removal of calcium and magnesium from wastewater using ion exchange resins degradation of vegetable oil refinery wastewater novel separation techniques, including microwave-assisted extraction and more The volume presents selected examples in wastewater treatment, highlighting some recent examples of processes such as photocatalytic degradation, emulsion liquid membrane, novel photocatalyst for degradation of various pollutants, and adsorption of heavy metals. The book goes on to explore some novel separation techniques, such as microwave-assisted extraction, anhydrous ethanol through molecular sieve dehydration, batch extraction from leaves of Syzygium cumini (known as jambul, jambolan, jamblang or jamun), and reactive extraction. These novel separation techniques have proved be advantageous over conventional methods. The volume also looks at modeling and simulation of chemical processes, including chapters on flow characteristics of novel solid-liquid multistage circulating fluidized bed, mathematical modeling and simulation of gasketed plate heat exchangers, optimization of the adsorption capacity of prepared activated carbon, and modeling of ethanol/water separation by pervaporation, along with topics on simulation using CHEMCAD software. The diverse chapters share and encourage new ideas, methods, and applications in ongoing advances in this growing area of chemical engineering and technology. It will be a valuable resource for researchers and faculty and industrialists as well as for students.

Disasters are not natural. Natural events such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, etc. become disasters because of the fragile relations that exist between the natural, human and built environments. Sadly, major disasters will always occur in towns and cities in the developing world where resources are limited, people are vulnerable and needs are particularly great. The prevailing state of emergency challenges thoughtful and sustainable planning and construction. Yet it is possible, in theory and in practice, to construct them in a way that provides a sustainable environment and improved conditions for current and future generations.

Rebuilding After Disasters emphasizes the role of the built environment in the re-establishment of lives and sustainable livelihoods after disasters. Expert contributors explain the principal challenges facing professionals and practitioners in the building industry.

This book will be of great value to decision makers, students and researchers in the fields of architecture, social sciences, engineering, planning, geography, and disaster recovery.

This work deals with conventional and new relationships between various viscoelastic properties of road bitumen, determined under different test modes, such as constant stress, constant deformation or cyclic load. Approximate formulas have been derived for prediction of the rheological properties of asphalt based on its standard parameters such as penetration and softening point. The work is intended for researchers and engineers in road paving industry. It may be also of interest for teachers and Civil Engineering students.

In many developing countries, water demand is increasing while surface- and groundwater resources are threatened by pollution and overexploitation. Hence, a more sustainable approach to water resources management and water treatment is required. In this capacity, bank filtration is a natural treatment process that makes use of the storage and contaminant attenuation capacity of natural soil/rock. However, BF is site-specific and a significant knowledge gap exists regarding the design and management of bank filtration systems, particularly in developing countries. This research aimed to address these gaps and contribute to the transfer of bank filtration to developing countries. This study comprised both column and batch laboratory-scale experiments to determine the effect of environmental variables such as temperature, raw water organic composition and redox conditions on the removal of chemical pollutants such as organic matter, micro-pollutants and heavy metals as well as the mobility of iron, manganese and arsenic under anaerobic conditions. Ultimately, the effectiveness of BF for supplying high drinking water quality was assessed in a case study in Egypt. The study showed that more than 80% of biodegradable organic matter was removed during infiltration at temperatures between 20 and 30 DegreesC. However, humic compounds enriched during BF, required post-treatment. Moreover, high humic content of infiltrating water reduced the removal of heavy metal and promoted the release of metal (loids) into the infiltrating water, rendering it more feasible to install BF wells within surface water systems with low levels of organic matter. Moderately-hydrophobic organic micropollutants were most persistent and required infiltration times longer than 30 days for complete elimination even at high temperatures (>20 DegreesC). Finally, design parameters such as the number of infiltration wells should be configured to minimise the proportion of polluted groundwater in the pumped water. Overall, this study provides insight into the effectiveness of BF in removing chemical pollutants from surface water and proposes guidelines for the successful application of BF in developing countries where arid conditions and high temperatures prevail.

These are the proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Engineering Sciences and Technologies (ESaT 2016), held from 29th of June until the 1st of July 2016 in the scenic High Tatras Mountains, Tatranske Matliare, Slovak Republic. After the successful implementation and excellent feedback of the first international conference ESaT 2015, ESaT 2016 was organized under the auspices of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Kosice, Slovak Republic in collaboration with the University of Miskolc, Hungary. The conference focused on a wide spectrum of topics and subject areas in civil engineering sciences. The proceedings bringing new and original advances and trends in various fields of engineering sciences and technologies that accost a wide range of academics, scientists, researchers and professionals from universities and practice. The authors of the articles originate from different countries around the world guaranteeing the importance, topicality, quality and level of presented results.

The ICCASCE 2015 conference covers a wide range of fields in science and engineering innovation and aims to bring together engineering technology expertise. Scientists, scholars, engineers and students from universities, research institutes and industries all around the world gathered to present on-going research activities. This proceedings volume consists of papers covering a range of topics in Civil, Architectural, Structural and Constructional Engineering and Advanced Materials and Mechanics, a hot topic in engineering in the last decades. Recent trends show that the application of nanotechnology and environmental science together with advanced materials and mechanics are playing an increasingly important role in different engineering applications. Covering this trend, this volume provides both theoretical and practical applications in the advanced engineering analysis of materials for the Civil, Architectural, Structural and Constructional branches, incorporating these along with the latest analytical techniques, instrumentation, and regulations. This book covers various topics such as advanced construction materials, smart materials in manufacturing and materials science, smart structures and systems, vibration and noise control, informational technology of materials, power conversion and intelligent control and fluid dynamics among others. Furthermore, the authors provide guidelines to researchers and engineers, enabling them to prepare and understand the materials and construction responses and analyses. The analytical methods presented in engineering applications and analysis for materials will be useful to anyone who produces, uses, or evaluates construction data, and will be a valuable tool in advanced engineering education and training programs.

Despite the growing recognition of the importance of environmental issues for nation-state security, current research on international environmental security is insufficient. Although scholars in the field of International Relations believe that there is an appropriate role for international relations theory in analyzing global environmental concerns, the existing literature is predominantly descriptive or prescriptive rather than analytical. This study attempts to remedy this problem by conducting an empirical analysis of nation-state behavior in the international environmental realm.

The book provides an overview of climate change-sensitive water resources management with consideration of adaptation approaches, the assessment of climate change impacts, current contemporary management techniques, and ecological responses. Comprehensive assessments and studies from eight countries using innovative approaches that aid water management under evolving climates are documented. Topics ranging from hydrologic design to management and policy responses to climate change are discussed, which demonstrate updated theories that highlight methods, tools, and experiences on the topic of water resources under climate change. The generic approaches discussed, and their applications to different climate change-related problems, make this book appealing to a global readership. The practical and applied methodologies presented in the book and through insightful case studies discussed will provide readers worldwide with ready-to-use information to manage water resources sustainably under evolving climate. This book is ideally suited for water resource managers, scientists, professionals from water management agencies, graduate students, and national laboratory agencies responsible for water and environmental management.

Contemporary Problems of Architecture and Construction 2020 includes contributions on various complex issues and aspects of engineering and construction of buildings and structures, protection, reconstruction and restoration of architecture, as well as intellectualization of energy and safety systems functioning urban development. The contributions were presented at the eponymous conference (ICCPAC 2020, St Petersburg, Russia, November 25-26, 2020), and cover a wide range of topics: Urban development: problems of urban construction and architecture Engineering, construction and operation of buildings and structures Implementation of building information modeling (BIM) and geo-information systems (GIS) technologies in the construction industry Energy efficiency of buildings and maintenance systems Engineering technologies of sustainable nature management and environmental protection Intellectualization and algorithmization of large cities road safety systems functioning Economics and management in construction and public utility services. Contemporary Problems of Architecture and Construction 2020 will be of interest to academics and professionals involved in the urban development, engineering technologies, architecture and construction, economics and management in construction industry.

The catchment area of the Mekong River and its tributaries extends from China, through Burma/Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and to Vietnam. The water resources of the Mekong region - from the Irrawaddy and Nu-Salween in the west, across the Chao Phraya to the Lancang-Mekong and Red River in the east- are increasingly contested. Governments, companies, and banks are driving new investments in roads, dams, diversions, irrigation schemes, navigation facilities, power plants and other emblems of conventional 'development'. Their plans and interventions should provide some benefits, but also pose multiple burdens and risks to millions of people dependent on wetlands, floodplains and aquatic resources, in particular, the wild capture fisheries of rivers and lakes. This book examines how large-scale projects are being proposed, justified, and built. How are such projects contested and how do specific governance regimes influence decision making? The book also highlights the emergence of new actors, rights and trade-off debates, and the social and environmental consequences of 'water resources development'. This book shows how diverse, and often antagonistic, ideologies and interests are contesting for legitimacy. It argues that the distribution of decision-making, political, and discursive power influences how the waterscapes of the region will ultimately look and how benefits, costs and risks will be distributed. These issues are crucial for the transformation of waterscapes and the prospects for democratizing water governance in the Mekong region. The book is part of the action-research of the M-POWER (Mekong Program on Water, Environment and Resilience) knowledge network. Published with IFAD, CG|AR Challenge Program on Water & Food, M-POWER, Project ECHEL-EAU and HEINRICH BOLL STIFTUNG

Radar scattering and imaging of rough surfaces is an active interdisciplinary area of research with many practical applications in fields such as mineral and resource exploration, ocean and physical oceanography, military and national defense, planetary exploration, city planning and land use, environmental science, and many more. By focusing on the most advanced analytical and numerical modeling and describing both forward and inverse modeling, Radar Scattering and Imaging of Rough Surfaces: Modeling and Applications with MATLAB (R) connects the scattering process to imaging techniques by vivid examples through numerical and experimental demonstrations and provides computer codes and practical uses. This book is unique in its simultaneous treatment of radar scattering and imaging. Key Features Bridges physical modeling with simulation for resolving radar imaging problems (the first comprehensive work to do so) Provides excellent basic and advanced information for microwave remote-sensing professionals in various fields of science and engineering Covers most advanced analytical and numerical modeling for both backscattering and bistatic scattering Includes MATLAB (R) codes useful not only for academics but also for radar engineers and scientists to develop tools applicable in different areas of earth studies Covering both the theoretical and the practical, Radar Scattering and Imaging of Rough Surfaces: Modeling and Applications with MATLAB (R) is an invaluable resource for professionals and students using remote sensing to study and explain the Earth and its processes. University and research institutes, electrical and radar engineers, remote-sensing image users, application software developers, students, and academics alike will benefit from this book. The author, Kun-Shan Chen, is an internationally known and respected engineer and scientist and an expert in the field of electromagnetic modeling.

Earthen levees are extensively used to protect the population and infrastructure from periodic floods and high water due to storm surges. The causes of failure of levees include overtopping, surface erosion, internal erosion, and slope instability. Overtopping may occur during periods of flooding due to insufficient freeboard. The most problematic situation involves the levee being overtopped by both surge and waves when the surge level exceeds the levee crest elevation with accompanying wave overtopping. Overtopping of levees produces fast-flowing, turbulent water velocities on the landward-side slope that can potentially damage the protective grass covering and expose the underlying soil to erosion. If overtopping continues long enough, the erosion may eventually result in loss of levee crest elevation and possibly breaching of the protective structure. Hence, protecting levees from erosion by surge overflow and wave overtopping is necessary to assure a viable and safe levee system. This book presents a cutting-edge approach to understanding overtopping hydraulics under negative free board of earthen levees, and to the study of levee reinforcing methods. Combining soil erosion test, full-scale laboratory overtopping hydraulics test, and numerical modeling for the turbulent overtopping hydraulics. It provides an analysis that integrates the mechanical and hydraulic processes governing levee overtopping occurrences and engineering approaches to reinforce overtopped levees. Topics covered: surge overflow, wave overtopping and their combination, full-scale hydraulic tests, erosion tests, overtopping hydraulics, overtopping discharge, and turbulent analysis. This is an invaluable resource for graduate students and researchers working on levee design, water resource engineering, hydraulic engineering, and coastal engineering, and for professionals in the field of civil and environmental engineering, and natural hazard analysis.

Collecting fares through "smart cards" is becoming standard in most advanced public transport networks of major cities around the world. Travellers value their convenience and operators the reduced money handling fees. Electronic tickets also make it easier to integrate fare systems, to create complex time and space differentiated fare systems, and to provide incentives to specific target groups. A less-utilised benefit is the data collected through smart cards. Records, even if anonymous, provide for a much better understanding of passengers' travel behaviour as current literature shows. This information can also be used for better service planning. Public Transport Planning with Smart Card Data handles three major topics: how passenger behaviour can be estimated using smart card data, how smart card data can be combined with other trip databases, and how the public transport service level can be better evaluated if smart card data is available. The book discusses theory as well as applications from cities around the world and will be of interest to researchers and practitioners alike who are interested in the state-of-the-art as well as future perspectives that smart card data will bring.

Compost Utilization in Production of Horticultural Crops provides information for the compost industry to develop horticulture production efforts and techniques. This highly practical book contains information applicable to current production issues facing the fruit and nuts, vegetable, and ornamentals and turfgrass industry. Written by scientific experts, chapters evaluate the uses of compost for greater crop yields and decreased plant disease and pesticide application, irrigation water and fertilizer demand. Considering compost use increases carbon sequestration, the book provides guidelines on converting safe waste materials into composted soil amendments while minimizing negative impacts on the environment. Chapters cover the diversity and variability on compost uses of available feedstocks; composting methods, application rates, methods and timing; and considers the benefits of application alone or combined with other organic or inorganic nutrient sources. Practical reference for regular use by professionals in compost and horticulture industries. Presents information for both agricultural and waste management. Addresses the effects of compost on soil health and food safety. Discusses compost quality and compost as a supplement in soil fertility programs. Features information on compost nematodes management, compost teas effect on foliar diseases, and the economic impact of compost on crop production. This book is essentail reading for fruit and nuts, vegetable, ornamental, landscape and turfgrass producers; waste and compost industry representatives, consultants and regulators; and academic plant and soil science researchers.

This title includes a number of Open Access chapters. Climate change threatens our planet's future. Since it's too late to prevent climate change, we must find ways to prepare for it, while doing all we can to slow down the processes that are causing it. The editor of this compendium, an experienced and respected scientist in the field, has collected research vital to the challenges we are facing. The book offers a multi-perspective look at ways to reduce greenhouse gases and find fossil fuel alternatives from a truly international roster of researchers and scientists.

Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) are the way forward for sustainable growth of mobility at all levels (local, regional, national, transnational). The book reviews the current status of Research & Development. It includes connected (and autonomous) cars and buses, real-world large-scale field trials, data analysis and assessment of technological solutions. Standards and normative aspects in the domain of Electronic Fee Collection and Cooperative Systems oriented to probe data collection, safety and non-safety critical applications in vehicular networks, are studied. The book provides the rational, perspectives, and technical issues for the implementation of ITS solutions in a genuine inter-modal scenario, taking the example of a Mediterranean seaport, actively involved in testing and validation of ITS standards. The novelty of this book is that it covers R&D, standards, and pilots, all under one cover. Rather than stressing the novelty in ICT, the authors have presented the need for system-level integration, assessment of existing (standard) solutions, and piloting experiments in real-world industrial scenarios.

This book advances the scientific understanding, development, and application of geospatial technologies related to water resource management. It presents recent developments and applications specifically by utilizing new earth observation datasets such as TRMM/GPM, AMSR E/2, SMOS, SMAP and GCOM in combination with GIS, artificial intelligence, and hybrid techniques. By linking geospatial techniques with new satellite missions for earth and environmental science, the book promotes the synergistic and multidisciplinary activities of scientists and users working in the field of hydrological sciences.